R. Marquez's Blog

Took a bit of a hiatus from writing, but I’m getting the itch back. Want to do some short stuff. Check out this page on my website for links to actual stories.

I hope my readers enjoyed my stories set in the imaginary city of Couper, Washington as much as I enjoyed writing them, but it’s time to do other things. I might, or might not, return to writing short stories, and if I do, I’ll create a page on this site that will tell you where to find them. Take care.

I set the original release date for the Lost Valentine for 9/30/2020, but I was done early (I know, not like me) and the paperback can be ordered on Amazon today. The e-book version will be available on Amazon, Google, Apple, B&N, and Kobo early next week. I hope my readers enjoy how I finished the Carol Karuso Mystery trilogy.

I’m sure going to miss all those characters from Couper, WA. But time to retire, though I may still have a short story or two left in me. We’ll see. Thanks to all of you who enjoyed my books.

Read the 1st chapter of the Lost Valentine here.

You can pre-order The Last Valentine, last book in the Carol Karuso Mystery Trilogy, from Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, iBooks, and B&N. Please check my web page (r-marquez.com) for links.

I'm allowing the last book in the Carol Karuso Mystery Trilogy to be ordered now on the publisher sites that allow preorders. It will be published on all sites (Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Google Play, and Apple) by 9/30/2020. I hope you enjoy the final book set in Couper, Washington.

Below is a draft blurb for the book:

Carol Karuso is making sweeping changes to her life. She’s finally divorcing a husband that refuses to stay dead, and she’s giving up all hope of becoming a private investigator. Time to move on.

Then her best friend, Matty Cruz, returns unexpectedly to Couper, Washington. During her short stint in Europe, she’s somehow managed to get on the bad side of the Albanian Mafia and she needs a place to hide. Ah, Matty, You can take the woman out of Couper …

Carol does her best, but Matty refuses to lie low. Instead she starts digging into the shady practices of a retirement home and pushes Carol to partner with an arrogant private detective in search of a woman that promises love to many a lonely, old man, but, instead, empties their bank accounts.

If you fancy thrilling mysteries, especially those that include a beautiful, redheaded detective with bad habits but endless determination, colorful characters, dark villains, and more than a dash of humor, murder and mayhem, you’ll love this final book.

Buy The Lost Valentine today and say good-bye to your favorite characters from the Matty Cruz Adventure Series and the Carol Karuso Mystery Trilogy.

I'm letting the 3rd draft of The Lost Valentine marinate for a few days before putting the finishing touches on the final draft. I hope it doesn't need too much more work. I really want to finish this.  Still aiming for mid-July to get this published. Wish me luck.

For those readers wondering when The Lost Valentine will be finished, know that I'm aiming to have it out before mid-July. It will be the last book in the Carol Karuso Mystery trilogy. Matty Cruz will be teaming with Carol and you'll get an update on what she's been doing in Madrid, Spain. Getting into trouble, of course. I hope you like how it all ends.

I know this last book in the Carol Karuso Mystery series has been a long time coming, and I apologize for that.  I've heard from readers asking why it is taking so long. I've had some physical roadblocks, and my health had to come first. Life is settling down and I hope to be writing more steadily soon.

I'm determined to finish it in 2020.  I'm halfway through the second draft.

Hang in there and I promise to do the same.